German Biotech AMSilk GmbH and BRAIN Biotech, a leading provider of solutions for the biologization industry, have been working for a year to create top-notch protein-based fibers for the performance materials sector.
Now, at the end of the first phase of the collaboration, they announce that they have successfully optimized a specific natural structural protein for high-performance biomaterials and registered the first patent application for this optimization process — marking a significant milestone for the future sustainable textile industry.
“This will enable us to revolutionize the performance materials market in the long term”
Recently, Gudrun Vogtentanz, CSO at AMSilk, commented: “Together with BRAIN Biotech, we are bringing tailor-made material solutions to the market that not only meet the needs of customers but are sustainable. This will enable us to revolutionize the performance materials market in the long term, which is currently dominated by fossil-based textiles.”
Combining expertise
AMSilk, a global leader in advanced materials made from spider silk-based proteins, has developed various innovative solutions using its recombinant silk protein fibers.
These fibers offer a combination of strength and flexibility that is said to be ideal for a variety of textile applications. What sets AMSilk’s proteins apart is their biodegradability, recyclability, and lack of microplastics, making them a more sustainable choice than traditional synthetic materials.
On the other hand, BRAIN Biotech specializes in protein engineering and bioinformatics to design tailored proteins for industrial applications. The company’s expertise in rational protein design has been instrumental in optimizing AMSilk’s proteins for specific market requirements.
As explained by the companies, using molecular biology and fermentation, BRAIN Biotech has modified the amino acid sequence of silk proteins to enhance their performance characteristics for new applications in the textile sector.
Dr. Alexander Pelzer, Head of Research & Development at BRAIN Biotech, highlights the power of the company’s protein engineering pipeline, which combines the experience of their team with cutting-edge bioinformatics methods and AI predictions.
Sustainable textile sector
Last year, the AMSilk raised €25 million, bringing its investment capital to €54 million. The company has partnered with Mercedes Benz, Omega, Airbus, and other leading luxury, footwear, and automotive brands to launch its silk protein products.
In January, the company partnered with the Danish bioproduction 21st.BIO to accelerate the production of its recombinant proteins to meet the growing demand for sustainable material solutions.
Along with the economic aspect, AMSilk and BRAIN Biotech share a strategic objective of fostering a more sustainable future by introducing biobased solutions in the textile sector.
Pelzer adds: “Many of the protein fibers that we have designed and manufactured at BRAIN Biotech showed greatly improved properties in real applications. We are very pleased that once again we have been able to contribute to the success of a customer – in this case AMSilk.”
